Reflection

One of the greatest tools a leader has in their toolkit is self-reflection. Reflection isn’t a luxury for leaders—it’s a necessity and the foundation for building EQ skills.

What is reflection, really? For me, it’s an intentional practice of slowing down, checking in with yourself, and examining your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and actions. How did you show up? How did you get in your own way? Where did you excel? When were you triggered, and what set it off? How did you react? There are countless questions to ask, but the goal is to slow down and uncover insights that turn into wisdom and shape future actions. Reflection is a look at the past to create a better future.

Reflection helps you identify strengths, weaknesses, blind spots, and patterns of behavior that might either enhance or hinder your effectiveness. It’s a key step for personal and professional growth, allowing you to understand the impact of your behavior on yourself and others.

Here are some tips for creating a reflection practice:

Keep a journal

Whether you prefer a handwritten journal (recommended) or a digital note, aim to capture moments—big or small—as they happen. Record how you felt, what you did well, where you could improve, and any feedback you received. This will help you recall insights accurately and consistently.

Dig into the “why”

Reflection involves peeling back layers and getting to the core. If you feel triggered, take the time to get curious and identify the root cause. Why does that person’s behavior get to you? Why did that rejection sting so much? What made this success feel different from others? Keep asking “why” until you reach the real answer.

Schedule reflection time

In the rush of daily life, self-reflection is often pushed aside. However, it pays dividends in shaping a better future and a better you. Treat reflection as a priority and schedule it in. Once a week, step away from your workspace for 30 minutes of quiet time to sit with your thoughts. Evaluate, analyze, and visualize what you’d like to do differently.

Try it out: Make self-reflection a priority this week. Notice how examining your actions and reactions with intention can shift how you approach challenges and relationships. You may find that knowing yourself truly is the beginning of wisdom.